Irreplaceable mercury

Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is a unique element that has many irreplaceable uses in various industries. Despite its toxic nature, its unique properties make it indispensable in certain applications.
One of the key uses of mercury is in the production of chlorine and caustic soda. The chlor-alkali industry relies heavily on mercury cells to produce these essential chemicals, which are used in a wide range of products including paper, textiles, and PVC. While there are alternative methods for producing chlorine and caustic soda, such as membrane cell technology, mercury cells are still favored for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Mercury is also widely used in the electrical industry, particularly in switches and relays. Its low melting point and ability to conduct electricity make it an ideal choice for these applications. While there are substitutes for mercury in some cases, such as solid-state relays, they may not always be suitable or cost-effective.
In the medical field, mercury is used in certain instruments like thermometers and blood pressure gauges. These devices rely on the unique thermal and electrical conductivity properties of mercury to provide accurate readings. While digital alternatives have become more common, mercury-based instruments are still preferred for their accuracy and reliability.
Furthermore, mercury is used in dental amalgam, a common material for filling cavities. Despite concerns about its toxicity, dental amalgam has been proven to be a safe and effective material for restoring teeth. While there are alternatives like composite resins, they may not always be as durable or cost-effective as mercury-based fillings.
In the mining industry, mercury is used in the extraction of gold and silver from ore. The process, known as amalgamation, involves mixing mercury with the precious metal to form an amalgam. While there are alternative methods like cyanide leaching, amalgamation is still widely used in small-scale mining operations due to its simplicity and efficiency.
In conclusion, while the toxic nature of mercury raises concerns about its use, the element remains irreplaceable in certain industries. Its unique properties make it ideal for a variety of applications where alternatives may not always be suitable or cost-effective. As technology advances, efforts are being made to reduce mercury use and find safer alternatives, but for now, it continues to play a critical role in various sectors of the economy.

With the increasingly serious impact of mercury on human health and the environment, global restrictions on the application of mercury have been imposed. Since 2009, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme, after four years and five rounds of arduous negotiations, the "Minamata Convention on Mercury" was finally formulated by governments worldwide in Geneva in January 2013. On October 10, 2013, the "Minamata Convention on Mercury" restricting the use, import and export trade, and emissions of mercury was adopted at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) diplomatic conference held in Kumamoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The Japanese government signed the convention on October 10, 2013. The Chinese delegation signed the "Minamata Convention on Mercury" in Japan on October 12, 2013. In June 2013, the World Health Organization launched the "Global Mercury Elimination Plan for Medical Use" with the goal of reducing mercury thermometers and thermometers by 70% globally by 2017, reducing mercury's damage to the environment, and preventing medical workers and the public from being directly exposed to mercury pollution.

In 2014, China promulgated GB 30770-2014 "Emission Standards for Industrial Pollutants of Tin, Antimony and Mercury". In February 2014, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection jointly formulated the "Roadmap for Gradually Reducing Mercury Content in Fluorescent Lamps" to strive for the complete elimination of mercury production processes.

Domestic and foreign large enterprises have gradually adopted low-solid mercury catalyst technology and industrial flue gas mercury removal technology, etc. The application of mercury in industry is gradually being replaced by other materials, and the usage of mercury is gradually decreasing. The complete elimination of mercury production processes is the inevitable trend.